CAPTAIN ALLEN TOO POPULAR?

The Advertiser, Adelaide, 1 April, 1912

The Fremantle correspondent of the 

Melbourne "Herald," referring to the 

visiting steamer Koombana, telegraphed 

on Friday:

- Everyone in Western Australia connected 

with shipping knows Captain Thomas Allen, 

master of the Koombana.

Prospective passengers by the north-west

mailboat have often said, "I am sailing by

Tom Allen's boat," instead of mentioning

the steamer's name. The north-west coast

is dotted with communities in villages,

and should a vessel chance to miss 

unloading, say, a packet of tintacks at one

of these ports there are meetings of local

councils and vigilance committees, and 

telegrams are sent to Fremantle expressing 

indignation. 

Through these dangerous shoals of parochialism 

the masters of the north-west passenger and cargo 

steamers have to steer a safe course. 

And therein lies the rub.

It speaks well for the personal qualities of Captain 

Allen that he is generally recognised as the most

popular master that has ever traded to the 

north-west coast. 

Popularity might have come at the expense of safety and trying to meet demanding expectations instead of having the courage to put safety first and say 'NO! I am not going out today'.

Captain Allen is a native of  South Australia, 

and is about 48 years of age.  He is a single man, 

and when on his holiday  resides with his mother 

at Port Adelaide.

courtesy Trove.

Fix this text mother st Port Adelaide.